Legislation -
Placed on Calendar
(Senate)
-
Sept. 9, 1998

Legislation -
Bill Passed
(House)
(252-179) -
Aug. 6, 1998(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote to pass a bill that imposes campaign finance reforms on the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) in order to change certain Federal election regulations.

Highlights:

Bars national, state, district, or local committees from soliciting funds from tax-exempt organizations, or organizations that have applied for tax-exempt status.

Bans individuals from contributing more than $10,000 to a State party during an election cycle.

Increases from $25,000 to $30,000 the annual aggregate limit on individual political contributions.

Redefines the term "contribution" to include communications that express advocacy for or against a party or individual, as well as payments made in support of a candidate running for Federal office.

Redefines the term "Expenditure" to include payments made for communications provided in coordination with the candidate, the candidate's agent, or the candidate's political party for the express purpose of influencing a Federal election.

Requires that reports be filed with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) for persons contributing an aggregate of $1,000 or more after the 20th day before an election, or an aggregate of $10,000 over 20 days before an election.

Obliges parties to report any contribution over $200 to the FEC, including the name and address of the donor, and the name of the candidate the money is meant to support or oppose.

Forbids parties from making both coordinated and independent expenditures to a candidate after he or she had been officially nominated.

Mandates that the FEC file reports electronically and make them publicly accessible on the Internet within 24 hours of their receipt.

Extends the time period within which a campaign audit may be started from 6 to 12 months within a scheduled election date.

Lowers the minimum contribution for the reporting of contributor identification from $200 to $50.

Requires only the name and address of a person contributing between $50 and $200.

Directs the FEC to declare that a candidate is eligible if the candidate and the candidate's committees do not exceed a personal funds expenditure limit of $50,000.

Prohibits foreign nationals and persons under the age of 18 from contributing to candidates or political parties.

Amends FECA to mandate between 1 and 10 years imprisonment for anyone who willfully violates its provisions.